You may want to see an addiction psychiatrist if you are physically addicted to drugs and alcohol, have worsening mental health symptoms, and are at high risk of relapse. This article will provide more information, so you know when it’s time to schedule that appointment.
Key Takeaways
- An addiction psychiatrist specializes in medications that treat addiction and underlying complex conditions, such as mental health disorders.
- You may require care from an addiction psychiatrist if you are physically addicted to drugs, in a relapse cycle, have a co-occurring disorder with worsening symptoms, or have dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
- An addiction psychiatrist can help by prescribing medications that reduce symptoms and cravings and manage underlying conditions. They will coordinate with your care team to ensure an integrated approach.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Addiction Psychiatrist?
- What Are the Signs That It May Be Time To See an Addiction Psychiatrist?
- How an Addiction Psychiatrist Can Help
- What Should I Expect During My First Appointment?
- How Can I Find the Right Addiction Psychiatrist For My Needs?
- Get the Care You Need at BNI Clinics in Los Angeles, CA
- FAQs
Introduction
For some, addiction can be handled with therapy and medications prescribed by primary care doctors, general psychiatrists, and addiction medical specialists. But for others, specialized help is needed. Addiction psychiatry may be the best course of treatment.
It’s not easy to admit you need a higher level of care. But making that decision can be the difference between continued struggle and effective, lasting recovery. This article will help you make that distinction and find the help you need.
What Is an Addiction Psychiatrist?
Addiction psychiatrists support recovery by prescribing medications that treat addiction. They differ from a general psychiatrist in the following ways:
- Scope of Training: General psychiatrists specialize in internal medicine and treating mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Addiction psychiatrists have a deep understanding of substance abuse and how it impacts the brain and body.
- Medication Expertise: Addiction psychiatrists are specifically trained in medications that treat cravings and withdrawals and know how they impact co-occurring conditions.
- Dual Diagnosis: They’re trained to prescribe medications that simultaneously treat symptoms of substance use disorder and emotional conditions.
They can provide care in psychiatric hospitals and outpatient settings.
What Are the Signs That It May Be Time To See an Addiction Psychiatrist?
You may need to see an addiction psychiatrist if:
- You are physically dependent on drugs, with increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
- You have tried to get sober but find yourself in a relapse cycle
- Mental health symptoms are worsening alongside drug abuse
- You’ve been diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder
- Your withdrawal symptoms are dangerous
- Your friends and family members are concerned about your drug addiction
How an Addiction Psychiatrist Can Help
Addiction psychiatry can help individuals with severe addiction issues, offering the following assistance:
Medication Assisted Treatment
Withdrawal is a sensitive stage of addiction treatment, as people experience symptoms that increase relapse risk. Some symptoms are even potentially fatal.
An addiction psychiatrist prescribes medications that reduce cravings and withdrawals to increase success rates, comfort, and ensure a safe recovery. For example, they may prescribe suboxone, which decreases craving and withdrawal symptoms in people with opioid use disorder, or diazepam, which reduces the risk of seizures during alcohol detox. A University of Wisconsin-Madison study shows that individuals treated with medications are half as likely to relapse as compared to those treated with therapy alone.
Psychiatric Medication for Co-Occurring Disorders
Substance abuse and mental health conditions are often related. SAMHSA research shows that more than one in four adults with a mental health condition also has a substance use disorder. People often use substances as self-medication for emotional conditions, but often find themselves on a downward spiral.
Addiction psychiatrists break the cycle by prescribing medications that safely treat these conditions, like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
Coordinating Comprehensive Care
Addiction psychiatrists can’t work in silos. They need input from therapists, psychologists, primary care physicians, and other medical and addiction treatment specialists on the client’s care team to determine how they are reacting to the medication. These medical professionals typically also work together to develop a long-term care and medication management plan to support the individual’s recovery.
What Should I Expect During My First Appointment?
A first appointment with an addiction psychiatrist typically involves a thorough psychiatric evaluation of your physical and mental health. The psychiatrist will ask questions about your drug use and medical history and will find out which medications you are currently taking. This information will help them determine which medications will provide the best results with minimal side effects.
The client should be ready to answer these questions. They may consider bringing medications they are currently taking so they can provide clear information about the types and doses. There may also be a request to have medical records transferred from other care team members for review.
While some individuals may be anxious about their first appointment, they have nothing to worry about. The psychiatrist typically approaches care in a clinical, non-judgmental manner. Open and honest communication is key to getting the best outcomes.
How Can I Find the Right Addiction Psychiatrist For My Needs?
Once you decide addiction psychiatry is right for you, the next step is finding the right provider. Here are some things to look out for:
- Credentials and Board Certification: A board-certified psychiatrist will have specialized training to deal with drug abuse and co-occurring disorders. Popular certifications include the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), and the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM).
- Cost and Insurance: Psychiatry can be expensive, but costs are more manageable if you work with a provider that accepts your insurance and is within your network. If you are uninsured, you may be able to connect with a community clinic that accepts sliding-scale payments.
- Questions to Ask: Interview psychiatrists before you commit to care to ensure they are the right fit. Ask questions about their board certification, their experience with co-occurring disorders, their approach to MAT, their collaborative approach with other medical professionals, their relapse prevention strategies, and whether they offer personalized care.
- Red Flags to Look Out For: Beware of psychiatrists who dismiss co-occurring conditions, are vague about their board certification, offer medication without carefully assessing your condition, have no long-term care plan, discourage questions, or pressure you toward a certain treatment program without explanation.
Get the Care You Need at BNI Clinics in Los Angeles, CA
At BNI Clinics, we understand it can be difficult to take the first step toward specialized care. We will support you every step of the way.
Our team provides addiction psychiatry to those who need it and integrates it with evidence-based psychotherapy and holistic approaches to ensure whole-person well-being. We focus on the underlying causes of addiction to ensure long-term recovery. Our outpatient settings allow you to split your time between treatment and daily life, ensuring minimal disruptions.
Contact us when you’re ready to take the first step.
FAQs
Do I need a referral to see an addiction psychiatrist?
Not always. Many addiction psychiatrists accept self-referrals, meaning you can contact their office directly to schedule an evaluation. However, some insurance plans require a referral from a primary care physician. Check your plan’s requirements before scheduling to ensure there are no complications in getting the care you require.
What conditions can an addiction psychiatrist treat?
An addiction psychiatrist can treat any substance use disorder, such as opioid use disorder, alcoholism, and stimulant addiction, as well as co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
Will my insurance cover visits to an addiction psychiatrist?
In most cases, yes. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, insurance plans are required to provide coverage for substance use disorder treatment that is comparable to coverage for other medical conditions. Coverage details vary by plan, so you should verify your benefits and confirm whether a specific provider is in-network before your first visit.
How do I know if I need an addiction psychiatrist or just a therapist?
A therapist provides talk therapy but cannot prescribe medication or diagnose psychiatric conditions. If your substance use involves physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, co-occurring mental health conditions, or has not responded to therapy alone, an addiction psychiatrist may be the more appropriate level of care — and in many cases, the two work together as part of a coordinated treatment plan.
What is the difference between an addiction psychiatrist and a regular psychiatrist?
A general psychiatrist treats various mental health conditions but may have limited experience with substance use disorders. An addiction psychiatrist has completed additional fellowship training specifically in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, giving them specialized expertise in how substances affect the brain, how to diagnose co-occurring disorders, and how to manage medications like buprenorphine or naltrexone alongside psychiatric medications.
Sources
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. “Addiction Psychiatry.” https://abpn.org/become-certified/taking-a-subspecialty-exam/addiction-psychiatry/
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. “Addiction Medicine Certification.” https://www.asam.org/education/addiction-medicine-certification
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. “Certification Pathways.” https://www.asam.org/education/addiction-medicine-certification/certification-pathways-new
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “What are Co-Occurring Disorders?” https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/mental-health-substance-use-co-occurring-disorders
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Release of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/release-2024-nsduh-leveraging-latest-substance-use-mental-health-data-make-america-healthy-again
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “2023 NSDUH Annual National Report.” https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-annual-national-report
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Treatment and Recovery.” https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions.” https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
- National Institutes of Health. “Methadone and Buprenorphine Reduce Risk of Death After Opioid Overdose.” https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/methadone-buprenorphine-reduce-risk-death-after-opioid-overdose
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Seizures and Alcohol Withdrawal: A Literature Review.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9567585/
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Characterization of Alcohol-Related Seizures in Withdrawal Syndrome.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10984295/
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Association of Medication-Assisted Therapy and Risk of Drug Overdose-Related Hospitalization or Emergency Room Visits in Patients With Opioid Use Disorder.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10519365/
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Treatment Use Among U.S. Adults with a Substance Use Disorder.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12026904/
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Trends in Treatment Need and Receipt for Substance Use Disorders in the US.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11704973/
- NIATX / American Society of Addiction Medicine and Treatment Research Institute. “Better Treatment Outcomes: Buprenorphine Implementation Toolkit.” https://niatx.wisc.edu/buprenorphineimplementationtoolkit2020/why-buprenorphine/buprenorphine-implementation-toolkit-better-treatment-outcomes/
- Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/mental-health-parity
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General Clinic FAQs
What conditions do BNI Clinics treat?
BNI Clinics evaluate and treat a wide range of neurological and mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, memory issues, migraines, sleep disorders, and brain-related performance concerns. Each patient receives a personalized care plan from licensed clinicians.
Who will be assessing or treating me?
All assessments and treatments at BNI Clinics are carried out by qualified, licensed healthcare professionals, including neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and certified therapists. Our team follows evidence-based guidelines and continues to undergo ongoing clinical training.
How does BNI diagnose brain-related conditions?
Diagnosis is done through a structured, clinical process that may include a physical exam, neurological evaluation, mental health screening, cognitive testing, and, when appropriate, advanced diagnostic tools. We use validated, research-backed methods aligned with global clinical standards.
Do I need a referral to visit BNI Clinics?
Most patients do not need a referral. You may schedule an appointment directly. However, some insurance plans may have referral requirements, and our team can guide you based on your coverage.
What happens during my first visit?
Your first appointment includes a detailed consultation with a clinician to review your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle factors, and goals. You will receive a clear explanation of any recommended tests, next steps, and treatment options.
Are the treatments at BNI Clinics evidence-based?
Yes. All therapies, medications, and clinical protocols offered at BNI Clinics follow evidence-based standards, supported by current research, clinical guidelines, and real-world patient outcomes.
Can BNI help if I have already tried treatments elsewhere?
Many patients come to BNI Clinics after trying other providers or treatment options. Our multidisciplinary team can review your past records, reassess your condition, and offer a more comprehensive or targeted care plan.
How long does treatment usually take?
Treatment duration varies based on the condition and severity. Some patients see improvement within weeks, while chronic or complex cases may require longer monitoring. Your clinician will outline a realistic timeline during your consultation.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. We follow all required medical privacy regulations, including HIPAA (if US-based). Your personal and medical information is securely stored and never shared without your consent.
Do BNI Clinics support ongoing care and follow-ups?
Yes. After your initial diagnosis and treatment plan, our clinicians schedule regular follow-ups to track progress, adjust treatment, and ensure long-term wellness.
